Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Slovenia expanded in volume from 2 064 t in 2018 to 2 344 t in 2019, driven by state agricultural and food institutes which supported local producers through regulations and subsidies. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and altered consumer habits, leading to a contraction in market volume to 2 236 t.

Market volume recovered to 2 362 t in 2021, supported by sustained consumer interest in locally produced food. However, in 2022, increased frequency of dry weather periods affected agricultural output, indirectly tightening raw material supply for pork production. This contributed to a 15% drop in market value to $13.4 million, even as volume remained relatively stable at 2 331 t.

A sharp decline in volume followed, falling to 2 108 t in 2023 and 1 835 t in 2024. During this period, retailers adapted their sales strategies to meet consumer demand for domestic and differentiated products, while digitalization and online sales gained importance in distribution. These shifts helped maintain market value around $14.2-$14.3 million despite the lower physical quantities.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovenia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 12 038 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 3.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 40.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovenia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following two years of growth, Slovenia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts declined. In 2020, output totaled 1 911 tonnes, showing a moderate 6.9% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2 052 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

Slovenia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 126.9 tonnes, representing a significant 11.2% year-over-year contraction. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 152.7 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Croatia accounted for the majority of Slovenia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in volume terms, while other markets played a smaller role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 899 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight 0.7% reduction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 3.8%, with an average annual decrease of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 989 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 5.8%, while 2019 experienced the largest annual decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovenia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy and Croatia remained the top destinations for Slovenia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms, together accounting for 86.9% of total flows, with other partners holding much smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovenia in value, 2017-2020

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in volume terms rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 452.2 tonnes, reflecting a 4.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 32.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 341.1 tonnes, which saw a slight 0.2% annual decline, while 2019 recorded the largest annual increase of 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Croatia, and France were the key sources for Slovenia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in volume terms, accounting for 46.9%, 15.3%, and 12.2% of imports, respectively, and together making up 74.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 224 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 20.4% uptick from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 37.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 11.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2 224 thousand US dollars, which experienced a minor 0.7% annual decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovenia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Austria, and Croatia played leading roles in Slovenia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms, accounting for 49.7%, 14.8%, and 14.7% of imports, respectively, and together representing 79.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovenia in value, 2017-2020